February 10, 2026 – PHENND

2026 Community Finance Initiative – Feb 18

hillarya — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:03:23 +0000

Citi Foundation opens $35 million Community Finance Initiative

The Citi Foundation has announced its commitment of $35 million to the 2026 Community Finance Initiative in support of programming that bolsters the financial stability, strength, and safety of low-income households in the United States.

According to a recent study, only 30 percent of Americans are financially healthy today. The Citi Foundation believes that community finance innovators, including community development financial institutions, play an important role across the country by providing individuals and families with responsible and affordable financial products, as well as tools and services that catalyze greater financial inclusion and financial health.

Through this iteration of the initiative, 70 nonprofits will each receive $500,000 to advance the financial resilience of U.S. households.

The 2026 Community Finance Initiative grants will focus on three specific areas:

Stabilize: Supporting low-income households in regaining everyday balance during moments of financial stress, including through financial coaching, support navigating public assistance programs and debt counseling.

Strengthen: Helping low-income households build credit and short- and long-term financial assets, through efforts such as emergency-fund programs, credit repair and first-time homebuyer education.

Safeguard: Protecting low-income households from financial harm and future setbacks through programs focused on fraud and scam awareness and prevention, identity protection and recovery, and safe use of digital financial tools.

Learn more and apply.

Deadline: February 18, 2026 (12:00 noon ET)

2026 Impact Grant to Empower At-Risk Communities Nationwide – Feb 20

hillarya — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:13 +0000

ViaPath Foundation Announces 2026 Impact Grant to Empower At-Risk Communities Nationwide

The ViaPath Foundation has announced the launch of its 2026 Impact Grant and is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations across the United States that are committed to empowering at-risk communities. The Impact Grant will support programs that advance youth support, advocacy, and meaningful career pathways, helping individuals, families, and communities build brighter futures.

The 2026 Impact Grant reflects the foundation’s mission to empower at-risk communities through holistic support—from early youth engagement and family stability to education, workforce readiness, and reentry support for justice-impacted individuals and veterans. Building on its 2025 initiative, in which the foundation expanded its efforts to create greater impact by providing more resources and opportunities to those in our communities who need them most, the foundation aims to develop programs and forge new partnerships that empower at-risk youth, support incarcerated veterans, promote successful reentry, and assist families affected by the justice system.

Each year, the ViaPath Foundation partners with organizations nationwide that are leading the way in community-based support, youth development, reentry services, education, workforce training, and advocacy. The partnerships help expand access to critical resources and break cycles of poverty, trauma, and involvement in the justice system.

The foundation will award grants of up to 15,000 per organization. Each organization is subject to a total funding cap of $50,000 over a three-year period.

Eligibility:

Nonprofit organizations and community-based programs serving at-risk communities in the United States.
Organizations whose work aligns with the Foundation’s mission to empower at-risk communities through advocacy, youth support, and meaningful career pathways.
Programs that serve justice-impacted individuals, returning citizens, and veterans as part of their broader community impact.

For more information, see the ViaPath Foundation website.

Deadline: February 20, 2026 (3:00 p.m. ET)

Volunteers Needed: Power Up Philly – Community Tech Expo – Mar 28

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:29:31 +0000

The Office of Mayor Parker and the Office of Innovation and Technology is excited to host the Power Up Philly – Community Tech Expo on Saturday, March 28, 2026 on Temple University’s campus!

This day dedicated to digital empowerment will provide 1000+ pre-registered Philadelphians with laptops, digital skills classes and support, exhibitors, speakers, and on-site activations!

Volunteers are needed to help support the operations of this exciting event! Volunteers will help support:

Laptop set-up and handout
Welcome and Check-In
Tech Support
Kid’s Zone
Exhibitors and Community Members
And more!

Come join the fun! Interested? Complete our Power Up Tech Corps application form to participate as a volunteer! Once complete, we will be in touch to relay next steps and other pertinent info. This is a great chance to get involved in digital inclusion and make an impact!

Have questions? Reach out to digital.equity@phila.gov.

Virtual Community Conversation: AI and the future of learning, work and democracy – Feb 11

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:04:02 +0000

If you are curious, cautious, or excited about how AI is reshaping learning environments, community partnerships, workforce pathways, and civic life, please join us for an informal discussion on AI, equity, and the higher education value proposition. Potential topics of discussion might include how AI is changing the perceived value of a degree for students and communities, how it is affecting civic responsibility, what widespread AI adoption means for democracy and public trust in institutions, how to prevent AI from widening social inequities or environmental harms, and what workforce and community partners now expect from graduates.

We will also discuss how to move from passive adopters or critics of AI to co-authors of the systems, policies, and learning environments where AI appears. Together, we will explore what it looks like to keep humans in the loop so that AI systems reflect community-defined values about learning, work, and democracy.

We welcome administrators, faculty, staff, students, creatives, community members, engaged citizens, policy makers, technologists, governance experts, and enthusiasts.

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 11, 2:00–2:45 PM

Learn more and register.

Explore Black History in Philadelphia

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:52:53 +0000

Philadelphia history is Black history.

The region serves as a home base for the founding church of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination (Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church), the country’s first major museum devoted to Black American history (African American Museum in Philadelphia) and many former stops along the Underground Railroad.

Historic sites like Cliveden and Stenton, as well as dedicated institutions like The Colored Girls Museum, Aces Veterans Museum and Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, tell of the successes, struggles and contributions of African Americans through the centuries.

And numerous monuments to Black figures dot Philadelphia, including the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, the Negro Leagues Memorial and the city’s first public statue representing an African American, the Octavius V. Catto Memorial, which depicts the bravery of the 19th-century Civil Rights advocate.

Learn more.

Free Black History Month Tours – Feb 14, 21, 27 & Mar 7

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:49:23 +0000

For Black History Month this year, Visit Philadelphia has partnered with two Philly tour companies to offer four free, professionally guided walking tours throughout the city’s historic Seventh Ward, as well as at sites where the city’s Black forebears walked, talked and helped shape the nation.

The tours — part of Visit Philadelphia’s ongoing Indivisible series — coincide with the year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday and aim to explore the lived experiences of our shared multicultural history.

1838 Black Metropolis (February 14 & 21, 11:00 AM) and The Black Journey (February 28 & March 11, 11:00 AM) lead two separate tours on four Saturdays.

Learn more and register.

Manager, Ellis Trust (Program Manager), Heights Philadelphia

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:33:53 +0000

The Manager of the Charles Ellis Trust for Girls contributes to a unique and deeply meaningful grantmaking program that helps Philadelphia high school girls access the resources they need to succeed in school and beyond. The Charles E. Ellis Trust for Girls helps eligible young women from low-income communities achieve their goals through education. The Trust annually awards Ellis Tuition Assistance Grants to high school students in need of tuition aid, and Ellis Enrichment Grants to cover a range of high-impact enrichment programs and basic school needs. The Manager supports the day-to-day administration of the Program while collaborating internally with partners across Heights Philadelphia and externally with the broader community to ensure that funding reaches the right students and makes a meaningful difference in their educational experience.

Learn more and apply.

Hybrid Event: A Century of Black History Commemoration – Feb 22

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:27:33 +0000

In 2026, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) celebrates 100 years of Negro History Week and 50 years of Black History Month. Join the Philadelphia Heritage and Philamontco branches of ASALH and Historical Society of PeHSP for a public program to commemorate the history, legacy, and preservation of ASALH and its founder, Carter G. Woodson.

This program is the kick off to a year of celebration of the founder’s enduring work to preserve and educate the public on Black history.

This event is being offered in a hybrid format. Both onsite and virtual tickets are available. All ticket reservations will include a Zoom link.

Date and Time: February 22, 2026, 2:00-5:00 PM

Location: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Learn more and register.

Culture Roots: Black History and Soul Food from the Garden to the Plate – Feb 21

hillarya — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:16:49 +0000

Celebrate Black History Month with an immersive journey into the rich traditions, flavors, and stories that have shaped Black food culture in America. Join us for an inspiring lecture on the origins of Black foodways, a guided tasting of iconic soul food dishes, and a community conversation exploring how these traditions continue to create community and connection.

Date and Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 2:00 PM 3:00 PM

Location: Martha’s Community Farm, 1350 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA 19403

Workshops for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers of children ages 0–8: Strengthening early literacy

hillarya — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:12:32 +0000

Philadelphia is the City of Love, and Literacy Partners, through La Fuerza de Familias Latinas, is celebrating the love of reading with Spanish-speaking families across Philadelphia.

We are offering free, in-person workshops for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers of children ages 0–8, designed to strengthen early literacy at home using joyful, culturally responsive strategies.

Families receive free books, practical tools, and meaningful time to learn together.

Leyendo en Casa (in Spanish)/Leyendo en Casa (en español): Amor por la Lectura
An interactive, Spanish-language workshop focused on building a love of reading through images, storytelling, and conversation:

Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM/Sábado 14 de febrero de 2026
Location: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM/Miércoles 18 de febrero de 2026
Location: Hartranft Community Center, 2449 N. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133
Incentives/Incentivos:
Participants receive 1 free culturally relevant book
Los participantes recibirán 1 libro culturalmente relevante
Families attending the February 14 workshop at the Academy of Natural Sciences will receive free entrance to the museum for the entire day
Las familias que asistan al taller del 14 de febrero en la Academy of Natural Sciences recibirán entrada gratuita al museo durante todo el día
Register here/Regístrate aquí
Informational flyer

Family Engagement Workshop/Taller de Participación Familiar: Haciendo Ciencias
A Spanish-language, multi-session workshop series supporting STEM exploration and family learning routines:

Topic Areas/Áreas temáticas: STEM (in Spanish)/STEM (en español)
Dates/Fechas: February 11, 13, 18, 20, and 23/ 11, 13, 18, 20 y 23 de febrero
Location/Lugar: North Philadelphia Resource Hub/Mi Salud Wellness Center, 200 E Wyoming Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Format/Formato: In person/Presencial
Incentives/Incentivos: Participants receive $25 plus 5 free books/$25 y 5 libros gratis
Register here/Regístrate aquí
Informational flyer

Additional workshop on February 18 at Hartranft Community Center.

Deadline Extended: Remake Learning Days: Philadelphia Region Info Sessions – Feb 10 & 11

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:30:11 +0000

***The deadline to add an event and to request a mini-grant has been extended to March 1, 2026.***

We invite all of our friends and collaborators to consider hosting an event as part of Remake Learning Days, a free, citywide celebration of hands-on learning for youth and families that will take place May 01, 2026 – May 23, 2026.

We encourage events of all types and at all locations, from a behind-the-scenes tour of your organization, to a hands-on activity, a short workshop, or a family-friendly demonstration. Even opening your doors to the community for an hour can meaningfully expose Philly youth to the impact your organization has in the city.

The McKinney Center for STEM Education will host two virtual information sessions to share how Remake Learning Days works and to answer any questions you might have. Please register for one of the two options below:

Info Session – Feb 10, 2026, 12:00pm – Register HERE.
Info Session – Feb 11, 2026, 6:30pm – Register HERE.

Please feel free to share this information with any interested parties!

Ready to host an event? Events are organized by different learning themes: Arts, Maker, Outdoor Learning, Science, Technology and Youth Voice. In addition, there are Professional Development sessions for school, out-of-school, child care and non-traditional educators. Families, youth and educators can search events by date/time, location, learning theme, age group (pre-K through high school), tags and more.

Host an event. Hosts should first submit their event by Friday, February 13th. Once approved, hosts can apply for a mini grant of up to $500 to support their event.

If you have any questions, contact Eli Epperson, Philadelphia Remake Learning Days Event Coordinator.

Education Dept. Tells Universities Not to Use Student Voting Data

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:20:21 +0000

The Education Department has issued a warning to colleges and universities not to use data from the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement this year, citing concerns over potential violations of student privacy under federal law. The department emphasized that institutions risk financial penalties if found in violation and advised schools to wait until ongoing investigations conclude before using any study data. This warning could affect how higher education institutions approach student voter engagement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

FAFSA Pop Up Event – Feb 11

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:16:10 +0000

The School District of Philadelphia is hosting several FAFSA completion pop–up events to support students and their families in completing financial aid applications.

The next pop–up event will be hosted at The Constance Clayton Education Center, 440 N Broad Street on Wednesday, February 11th, 4:00-7:00 PM.

Please note: This event is for 12th graders and their families

Informational flyer.

Black History Month at the National Constitution Center

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:06:58 +0000

This February, honor Black History Month by exploring the central role Black Americans have played in shaping constitutional history—from the Revolution to Reconstruction and beyond. Commemorate by diving into the lives of Revolutionary-era Black American figures, the continued fight for freedom and equality during the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the inspirational work of Black suffragists, politicians, and students.

Learn more.

South Carolina ’26 Institute on Teaching Social Action – Apr 18-19

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:58:42 +0000

We would like to invite you to apply to the South Carolina ’26 Institute on Teaching Social Action on April 18-19, 2026, hosted by the College of Charleston. Today, many college courses teach about democracy and change, but few courses provide students the opportunity to learn by doing them. The South Carolina ’26 Institute meets this need by providing faculty the necessary training to teach social action.

The South Carolina ’26 Institute will be hosted by Drs. Hollis France and Kris de Welde from the College of Charleston, along with Dr. Scott Myers-Lipton, Professor Emeritus from San José State University, who developed a social action course in 2006, and has taught it 30 times. Checkout our website to learn more about teaching social action.

Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply; however, we want to restrict participation to those faculty who are committed to implementing this experiential social action course model in the 18 months following the Institute.

Here is what Dr. Cassandra Simon, Associate Professor of Social Work from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, has to say about the training:

The Institute was one of the most effective uses of my time in my 30+ years in higher education. The Institute provided a structure and the tools to implement social action in an organized and meaningful way as a part of the educational experience. I left the Institute invigorated, armed with new knowledge and tools. I wondered where the Social Action Institute had been all of my higher ed life.

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The South Carolina ’26 Institute will run from Saturday, April 18th, 9 am-4:30 pm, and Sunday, April 19th, 9 am-3:30 pm; breakfast and lunch will be covered during the Institute. There is no charge for the South Carolina ’26 Institute, but you are responsible for hotel and transportation. If the date doesn’t work for you, we have three other in-person Institutes scheduled in 2026 (Denver, Alabama and NYC), and a virtual Summer and Winter Institute as well.

Learn more and apply.

PHILLY 250: The (In)Visible Architects of Freedom

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:54:17 +0000

The (In)Visible Architects of Freedom initiative is a commitment to inclusive storytelling, designed to commemorate Philadelphia’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding while decisively centering the contributions of African Americans and other historically marginalized communities. It is grounded in a robust set of projects developed by the district’s Social Studies Department, designed for students, educators, and families.

The initiative is designed to deliver three critical outcomes:

Strengthened collaboration with cultural partners who transform history into dynamic, on-site learning experiences;
Expanded participation for thousands of students and families through hands-on, inquiry-driven engagement; and
A culminating Freedom Mosaics Showcase of Learning in December 2026, elevating student voice, scholarship, and creativity.

TIDES Virtual Institute: Transforming Institutional Drivers for Excellence in STEM – May 19-22

hillarya — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:46:18 +0000

Across the nation, STEM faculty and administrators are confronting a rapidly shifting higher education landscape. Federal funding cuts have disrupted important ongoing research; strained fiscal, physical, and human resources; and challenged institutions to find new ways to sustain momentum. Yet even in this moment, one truth remains: This Ain’t Over. The work of transforming undergraduate STEM education must not pause—and the AAC&U TIDES Institute is here to help campus leaders move forward with clarity, strategy, and resolve.

What Is the TIDES Institute?

The AAC&U TIDES Institute is a four-day intensive program (May 19-22) designed to build the capacity of STEM faculty and administrators (individuals and/or teams) to navigate the complexities of institutional change. Through expert-led sessions, reflective practices, and personalized institutional coaching, participants engage in root cause analyses of institutional drivers of change—policies, quantitative and qualitative data, longstanding traditions, and deeply held beliefs and attitudes. Participants will leave this institute with actionable strategies to strengthen pedagogy, improve departmental environment, and drive systemic change—even during this period of financial uncertainty. Time at this institute will blend intensive learning with hands-on application.

Learn more and register. Early bird registration ends February 25.

CSATS Summer Research Experience for STEM Teachers Program – Mar 27

hillarya — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:10:49 +0000

The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program is a seven-week summer program for middle and high school STEM teachers. RETs conduct research with a host laboratory for the first six weeks of the program and prepare for the summer research symposium during the seventh week. Teachers selected for the program will participate in ongoing research projects with university science or engineering faculty and work with CSATS science education faculty to develop a classroom research project based on their research experience.

For Summer 2026, the RET program is being offered through a combination of remote, hybrid, and in-person placements at Penn State Harrisburg (Middletown, PA) and Penn State University Park (University Park, PA).

During this 7-week, full-time research experience, teachers work alongside Penn State faculty members to conduct authentic research and receive PA STEELS/NGSS-focused virtual professional development by science education faculty members at Penn State Center for Science and Schools (CSATS) to help translate the experience to the classroom.

Deadline to Apply: March 27, 2026

Learn more.

PA Student Aid Guide 2026-2027

hillarya — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:04:33 +0000

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1963 to provide affordable access to higher education for PA students and families. Over the years, PHEAA has become one of the nation’s leading providers of student financial aid services, offering the Pennsylvania-based PA Forward Student Loan Program and Keystone Student Loans, available to students and families in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. PHEAA also serves millions of students through guaranty, servicing, financial aid processing, and other programs.

Need Money for College, but Confused by Financial Aid? Our Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide has the answers. This guide provides a complete overview of the financial aid process, with information on most of Pennsylvania’s financial aid programs and services. Find everything you need to know about paying for higher education.

Learn more.

Health Care Career Pathways Teacher – 2026/2027 School Year

hillarya — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:52:29 +0000

The Health Institute at Hardy is an innovative and dynamic program that launched in August 2025, offering career-connected pathways for students interested in high-demand healthcare fields and is unique within Philadelphia. Through a partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), fueled by generous funding support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, students will engage in hands-on learning, including labs, internships, and dual-enrollment courses, leading to certifications in healthcare fields through three pathway programs focused on clinical, operations, and administration roles in healthcare.

We seek dynamic educators to teach the foundational Introduction to Health Care Careers I & II courses for 9th grade and 10th-grade students. This role is pivotal in building students’ understanding of healthcare careers and cultivating technical, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills essential for success.

Learn more and apply.